NBA draft grades: Phoenix Suns earn rave reviews for (some) picks

Josh Jackson (Kansas) reacts after being introduced as the number four overall pick to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.(Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

Grades: Overall marks for Suns

Maurice Moton writes: "Josh Jackson could've been the best draft pick on some big boards. The Suns may have dropped to No. 4 in the lottery, but the team still acquired a game-changer without having to trade up. Immediately, the Kansas product will elevate play in the frontcourt at small forward."

Nicholas Goss writes: "The Suns needed to add a versatile perimeter defender, and Kansas’ Josh Jackson fits the bill. He might be the most NBA-ready defender in the draft, and he’ll bring much-needed toughness and leadership to a young Phoenix roster. Jackson also posted 13 double-doubles last season, the most ever by a Kansas freshman. Phoenix certainly is building a talented roster with recent high draft picks."

Andrew Sharp writes: "I love the Suns' young core, and Josh Jackson is the perfect addition. Granted, I spent most of this week worried that Ryan McDonough would make an impulsive move to flip No. 4 for someone like LaMarcus Aldridge, but that doesn't matter anymore. They were also flirting with Porzingis for the past 48 hours, but that's not important. What's important is that we made it. Devin Booker and Eric Bledsoe can do the scoring and Josh Jackson can maul people. The Suns are too young to win more than 30–ish games next year, but a) this is a wonderful nucleus for the next five years, and b) those 30 wins will be awesome."

Ricky O'Donnell writes: "Josh Jackson is a great fit for Phoenix. He gives the team the defensive presence on the wing it badly needed while also providing unselfish playmaking ability on the offensive end."

Jordan Schultz writes: "Josh Jackson is my favorite player in the draft. The fact that he fell into Phoenix’s lap at No. 4 is a gift. He is a nasty, defensive edge setter who will rebound and guard multiple spots. The Suns have a rising superstar in Devin Booker, whom Jackson will blend well with because he won’t be asked to score. As he improves his perimeter game, the Kawhi Leonard comparisons will only continue. Meanwhile, Davon Reed wasn’t the best player on the board, but he’s a classic 3-and-D guy who can fill a role off the bench immediately. He connected on 40 percent from three as a senior last year, while earning first-team ACC Defensive honors – hence the 7-foot wingspan. The Suns are thrilled to get him."

Grades: Suns pick Jackson at No. 4

Adi Joseph writes: "Second on our draft big board, Jackson has an incredible mix of motor and athleticism that allows him to be everywhere. He'll immediately be an improvement on the Suns' awful defense, and that should allow him to complement Devin Booker quite nicely. The Suns could have targeted a point guard, but they instead made the smart decision to stick with best available player."

Adam Fromal writes: "With Devin Booker, Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender patrolling the court in the desert, the Phoenix Suns needed two things above all else: perimeter defense and a capable wing. T.J. Warren is promising, but he's not the centerpiece they need at small forward, and he's certainly not a point-preventing stalwart. Josh Jackson is."

Jonathan Tjarks writes: "No player at the top of the draft had more rumors circling around them than Jackson, but he wound up going exactly where people expected at the start of the process. Jackson is a perfect fit next to Devin Booker in Phoenix, since he can take the tougher assignment on the perimeter, while Booker’s ability to space the floor will allow Jackson, who has a wonky-looking 3-point shot, to slash to the rim. While Jackson played as a small-ball power forward at Kansas, he will probably play more on the perimeter with the Suns, since they drafted Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender in the lottery last season. Phoenix has a lot of interesting young players; now it’s time for them to start winning games."

Sam Vecenie writes: "This is an absolutely perfect mesh of talent and fit for Phoenix. Jackson gives them an explosive athlete, high-level defender and elite level competitor to pair with Devin Booker on the wing. It's hard to imagine a better way for them to utilize their selection here than picking up the No. 3 overall player in this draft in Jackson. This is a home run."

2016: Dragan Bender, Croatia (No. 4). (Note: The Suns also acquired Marquese Chriss from Washington with the No. 8 pick in the draft in 2016 in a trade with the Sacramento Kings). Mike Stobe/Getty Images

Adam Fromal writes: "Can you say reach? That applies in two different ways. First, we're referring to Davon Reed's wingspan, since the 6'6" shooting guard has arms that stretch out a full seven feet. He's huge for the position, and that should aid him as he attempts to continue the breakout he began while playing out his senior year for the Miami Hurricanes. But this pick is also a draft reach, since Reed entered the night as a fringe second-rounder with three-and-D potential but few tangible results to fall back upon. "

Sam Vecenie writes: "The Suns certainly could use more help on the wing, and Reed will provide a 3-and-D weapon for Phoenix. It's a bit of a reach, especially with others who were on the board, but he has a shot to stick."

Adi Joseph writes: "Peters is a polished, smart, skilled power forward who tore up mid-major opponents. Can it translate? He might be a better all-arond player than Tyler Lydon, who was selected 30 spots earlier."

Adam Fromal writes: "Kudos to the Phoenix Suns for ending Alec Peters' draft slide, as the small forward slipped from fringe first-round consideration to the back end of the second round. Why? Presumably because he's only got 232 pounds on his 6'9" frame and will consistently be bullied around by bigger players. Peters is a solid rebounder who can space the floor with a three-point jumper, but he should see far more of the weight room than the court during his rookie season in the desert."

2015: Andrew Harrison, Kentucky (No. 44). (The Suns took the point guard for Memphis and traded him to the Grizzlies in exchange for Jon Leuer, a 6-foot-10, 228-pound power forward who played four seasons with Milwaukee, Cleveland and Memphis). Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports